Going Inward (or Outward)?

I feel like the "push me pull you" animal from Dr. Doolittle's world today.

I have a deep desire to be introspective, reflective and go inward today as I review 2009, think about what I learned over the past year and begin to open up to 2010 and what's next.

But I also keep getting work emails, calls and requests for help that are tapping me on the shoulder for a response (I'm technically on vacation until Jan. 6th, but being self-employed requires me to flex work/play a lot).

Can you relate (even if you're at work today)?

I alwasy have to remind myself that winter and the period up until my Jan. 7th birthday has always personally been a ripe period for new insights. And these come only when I unplug, stop working and allow myself to really revel in reflecting, dreaming, creative play and pondering whatever has been stewing in my subconscious for the past 12 months.

I just re-read my blog post on Rythms from this time last year, where I share how difficult it can be to create space to go inward in January, when society is telling us to GEAR UP FOR THE NEW YEAR!!!!!

What are your rhythms telling you you need right now? If you were an animal today, what would you be? I'm going to put the "push me pull you" out to pasture and go work on my vision map for 2010 and then take a nap. Maybe you should do the same?

AN INVITATION: Interested in learning how to connect with your rhythms and tap into the power of self-care? Learn how you can join or become trained to lead a self-renewal circle for women. And, view all upcoming events here.

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The Journey, a blog about coach/author/entrepreneur Renee Trudeau’s personal journey to life balance and living life from the inside out, comes out weekly.

Honoring Your Rhythms

This was an incredibly full weekend (I helped promote and led a workshop for a wonderful girls empowerment conference, supported artist friends at a community event, attended our annual school fund raiser and had the honor of hosting a 50th birthday Blessingway for a good friend).

I am pooped.

I feel like crawling back into bed with a big steaming mug of hot team, curling up with a good book and staying in sweats all day. Maybe I will. At the least, I’m certainly not going to have a typical Monday—usually my busiest work day.

I’ve learned over the years how important it is for me to listen to my body and spirit’s internal rhythms. Many days I have boundless energy and can get eight hours worth of work done in two. Other days, I feel like I'm moving through molasses and have to attune to what is essential, what must be done and then let everything else wait while I shift down into first gear.

I trust my body's rhythms and cycles. I’ve learned that pushing always backfires. Listening to and working in harmony with my body and spirit always proves fruitful.

It’s taken me a long time to allow myself to respond to my needs. But now that I do, there is no other way to live.

P.S. FREE SUPPORT RESOURCES: Who is holding a big space for what’s possible for you in 2010? Read more. And, if you’d like to receive my life balance newsletter tomorrow on Your Money or Your Life sign up here. Hope you can join us Tuesday evening (11/17) for our next Live Inside Out class via telephone on Building Your Support System--register here.

AN INVITATION: Interested in how you can connect to your rhythms and tap into the power of self-care? Learn how you can join or become trained to lead a self-renewal circle for women. And, view all upcoming events here.

Also, visit Live Inside Out and sign up to receive weekly tips on how to live more intentionally by becoming a fan on our Live Inside Out Facebook page.

The Journey, a blog about coach/author/entrepreneur Renee Trudeau’s personal journey to life balance and living life from the inside out, comes out weekly.

Photo: Renee Peterson Trudeau. An apricot tree in the Davis Mountains (TX).

Rhythms

Cape Flattery, Olympic Peninsula, WA Renee Peterson Trudeau

I think one of the most critical pieces to enhancing balance or equilibrium in our lives is the ability to tune into –and listen—to our body and soul’s natural rhythms.

For the past three years, I have slowed down considerably during the month of January. This year—after extensive planning-- I’ll be taking time for a 30-day writing “sabbatical” (basically still working, jut not seeing clients or taking speaking engagements/meetings so that I can spend 4 hours a day exclusively focused on reflection and writing).

My birthday falls on the 7th and while traditionally this is a huge month for my career coaching/consulting firm, it always felt unnatural for me to push hard at work when everything else—the weather, the need for post-holiday self-care/recovery, a tendency toward mild Seasonal Affective Disorder, my need to do some deep inner preparation for the coming year—was guiding me to slow down and go inward, not outward, during this month. (Don’t worry—if you need career support, my coaching team is wonderful and will be around all of January!)

It only took me 40 years to realize how necessary this January slow-down is. Now I understand this to be essential to my physical, spiritual and emotional well-being.

Many cultures celebrate the Winter Solstice as the kick-off for the time of year when they honor our innate need for introspection, deep reflection and solo time. The Solstice—which fell on December 21st this year--marked the shortest day of 2008. It signifies the season of the year when we are asked to go inside ourselves and connect to the light on this darkest day of the year. It is also a time of rebirth.

This slowing down in January can be particularly challenging when our culture will soon start hyping the New Year’s mindset of "get our there and start making headway on your '09 goals!” (Actually counter to what our bodies and want to do during these cold, dark hibernation-friendly days, right?!)

Ask any mental health professional; most of their calendars are booked heavily during January. Unfortunately the rate of depression and suicide skyrockets during and after the holiday season. It makes you wonder if this might also be due in part, to the conflict some of us feel this time of year around slowing down vs. speeding up (and I acknowledge that for some, speeding up in Jan. feels most natural).

When I pay attention to my own natural rhythms, work and life flow. When I don’t, it’s like climbing a mountain with a 100 pound bag on my back trying to get things accomplished.

I like to ask myself, “what seasons or months am I typically most productive or creative?” and then capitalize on those. And also “what months or periods of the year are typically challenging for me?” and consider how I can build in extra self-care or lighten my load to support these times.

Consider pulling out your 2008 (and if you have it, 2007) calendar and review your year—when you were in flow and when you weren’t. And share your observations with a friend. This might lead to some interesting insights around your natural rhythms and when you need to take it easy vs. launch new projects.

Why work harder than we need to, right? I’d love to hear your observations around your natural rhythms.

P.S. My colleague, Jennifer Louden, the Comfort Queen, has some great materials, books and resources to support you in nurturing yourself during the winter and throughout the year. Love her work!